Common Questions

Are Hardy Frame® Panels installed on concrete or on a mudsill?

Hardy Frame® products are typically built to a standard wood stud height in California (nominal 8’ = 92-1/4” net).  This net height facilitates installation between a mudsill at the bottom and double top plates above.  For designs governed by seismic, the 12” wide Panels and the 18” wide with 1-1/8” diameter hold down bolts, have a decrease in the allowable shear value if they are placed on a mudsill.  The amount of the decrease can be determined by comparing the values published in Table 1.1 with those in Table 1.2.  In order for these two Panel types not to have a decrease in allowable shear value, they should be installed either directly on the concrete or per our “double nut” detail.   

Are custom sizes available?

We offer custom heights that are within the parameters of our engineering; we do not make custom widths.  To determine if a custom height can be fabricated for your condition, refer to our tables and look for the maximum height listed for the width of product you are interested in using.  The lead-time for customs is generally 1-2 weeks depending more on transportation time than production.  The additional cost for fabrication is approximately $100 per Panel or Frame, check with your distributor for quotes and approximate time frames.

Can I drill a hole in the Hardy Frame® Panel?

This question is usually asked in reference to installing a porch light or illuminated address sign.  For these conditions, a maximum 1” diameter hole can be drilled in the face of the Panel provided it is located in the upper 60” and maintains a minimum 4” distance from any edge and any other hole in the product.  For holes located a distance greater than 60” from the top, a minimum 18” distance must be maintained from any other hole.  If the Panel has not yet been installed, a more simple solution is to orient the solid face of the product towards the inside face of stud, eliminating the need for additional holes.

For Hardy Frame® Panels, does it matter which way the solid face is oriented?

There is no “inside or outside” face to the Hardy Frame® Panel, there is a correct top and bottom.  The end of the Panel with the 3/4" thick steel bar built into it must always go down, as this is what acts as a hold down.

For Hardy Frame® Brace Frames, does it matter which way the diagonal goes?

The diagonal member in Brace Frames acts in both tension and compression therefore there is not a “correct” orientation of the diagonal member.  We do recommend when two Brace Frames are being installed in a single wall that the diagonals be oriented to oppose each other, but this is not a requirement. 

Is stud attachment to the edge of Panels required?

The inclusion of additional vertical members, such as studs or posts, is recommended for the purpose of carrying vertical loads.  Attachment of these additional vertical members is not required, but four screw holes have been provided in each edge of the Panel if a connection is desired. 

Are round cut washers required in the bottom of Panels and Frames even though there is a built in plate washer?

Yes, because the openings that receive hold down and shear bolts are slotted, or elliptical holes, round washers are required so that the nut is engaged around the circumference instead of at just two edges.

Do Hardy Frame® Templates come with the purchase of frames?

Templates are not supplied with our products because it is impossible for us know if the installation is at new or existing concrete or if it is being installed at a slab or on an upper floor.

Can top plates be cut in a wall line where there is a Hardy Frame®?

In wood frame walls the double top plates are usually the mechanism that collects, or “drags” the applied horizontal loads.  For this reason the top plates should be continuous.  For cases where a continuous plate is not possible, the Hardy Frame® Saddle should be considered as a product that is easy to install and capable of providing high allowable loads in both tension and compression (straps provide resistance in tension only).  Consult with the projects Design Professional for the appropriate splice needed for your specific condition.   At corner conditions, our company recommends strapping to the adjoining wall in lieu of a dog-ear connection.

Does plywood shear need to be installed over the Hardy Frame®?

Plywood shear is not necessary in wall lines where Hardy Frame® products have been specified for lateral load resistance.  Plywood can be applied on the face of walls containing Hardy Frame® products if desired, but it is generally not for structural purposes.

How do you attach drywall, studs, lath, etc?

All surface finishes can be screwed to our Panels or Brace Frames with self-drilling, self-tapping screws.  Every Panel and Frame we sell comes with a black and white “screw label” attached, which lists recommended screw types for each trade and the surface finish they will be attaching.

How many sheets of plywood (or OSB) will the Hardy Frame® replace?

The amount of plywood the Hardy Frame® will replace depends on several factors:

• The shear value of plywood varies with thickness, nailing schedule and possibly the governing building department.
• The amount of plywood needed may include not only the structural requirements but also furring to achieve an even surface for drywall, siding, etc.
• Most custom homes sheet the entire exterior.  This is usually not necessary for shear values but done because it eliminates “steps” in the surface where stucco cracking is more likely to occur and to simplify the structural drawings.
  

Compared to plywood, how much money will I save?

Cost differences need to be analyzed on a wall-to-wall basis.  Referring to item #3 above, the amount of plywood being replaced will vary.  Additionally, it is important to account for the elimination of hold-downs and their attaching post, metal strapping at openings, replacing 3x sill plates and studs at edge nailing with standard 2x framing, nails and most importantly the labor savings.  Other less obvious savings include fewer, faster and easier inspections, less construction time, simplifying construction (eliminating costly mistakes) and decreased liability.

Can other products be substituted for the threaded rod as a hold-down bolt in the Hardy Frame® System?

ASTM A-36 threaded rod has an allowable tension value that is approximately 50% greater than the most common anchors used for uplift.  Check with the Design Professional to see if the product to be substituted is capable of resisting the design loads for your condition.

How do we keep the hold-down and anchor bolts straight?

Our company offers a product called the Hardy Frame® Bolt Brace, which installs on the embed end of hold down bolts for Panels.  The Bolt Brace acts as a strap to tie the embed end of the bolts together, which prevents bolt sway when pouring concrete.

What is the field fix if hold-down or shear bolts are too high or too low?

If the bolts are too high, they can be cut down to the appropriate height or washers can be stacked below the nut.  If the bolts are too low, it is possible to gain 1-1/2” by removing the wood bottom plate and installing the product directly on the slab or curb.  When eliminating the 1-1/2” bottom plate, install a 1-1/2” filler on top of the Panel or Frame and make the top connection with 1/4 x 4-1/2” screws.

Are longer bolts or deeper embeds required for two pour system of slab?

The embed depth from top of concrete that is referenced in our embed schedule assumes a single pour condition.  For two pour conditions all bolt lengths should increase accordingly.

Can the Hardy Frame® be used on remodels/retrofits?

This question is not so much about the viability of our product as it is about the requirements of an epoxy system to transfer tension and shear loads to the foundation. 

Can the Hardy Frame® be used on second or third floor?

We have table values for our products when installed on wood floor systems.  In these tables we define the components making up the floor system and include the effect of shrinkage and crushing when calculating our allowable values.  For installations different from our defined floor system, we have a calculation procedure to check that, for the load needed, the drift remains within the limit of the code. 

Can point loads be applied to the top of Panels and Brace Frames?

For Hardy Frame® Panels, the additional vertical load allowed must be a uniformly distributed load.  Point loads can be uniformly distributed by applying them to a wood member installed above the Panel.  For Brace Frames, point loads may be applied to the post of the Frame and uniform loads may be applied along the top.  For point loads that fall between the two post of a Frame a wood member such as a header, or flush beam, can be installed above the Frame to distribute the load more uniformly.

Do you make a Panel or Brace Frame in a 5-1/2” depth?